What Does “Speak of the Devil” Mean and How to Use It Effectively in IELTS?

IELTS Mentor

5 months ago

Keyword Breakdown: “Speak of the Devil”

Definition: This idiom is used when someone who was being talked about appears unexpectedly.
Frequency in IELTS: Although idioms are not heavily tested in the IELTS exam, usage of appropriate idiomatic expressions can enhance one’s score in the speaking and writing sections.
Synonyms and Antonyms:
- Synonyms: “Look who’s here!”, “Talk of the town!”, “Guess who’s here!”
- Antonyms: “Silent as the grave”, “Not a whisper about”, “Conspicuously absent”

Examples of “Speak of the Devil”

When you are discussing John and he walks into the room: “Speak of the devil, there he is!”
While talking about a surprise guest at a party: “Speak of the devil and he shall appear!”
Mentioning a boss who unexpectedly joins a meeting: “Speak of the devil, look who’s here!”

Speak of the Devil Illustration

Meaning and Usage Analysis

Definition and Pronunciation

Speak of the Devil [spiːk əv ðə ˈdevl]
- Literal meaning: Mentioning the devil makes him appear.
- Figurative meaning: Referring to someone in conversation and that person appearing unexpectedly.
- Usage context: Common in casual and informal conversations.

Popularity in IELTS

Even though idioms like “Speak of the Devil” are not a primary focus in the IELTS exams, using idiomatic expressions effectively can elevate your speaking and writing tasks. They demonstrate a higher level of fluency and understanding of the language.

Break Down Sections

Speaking Section

Part 1 Example:
- Question: Do you like meeting new people?
- Response: “Yes, I do. In fact, just yesterday I was talking about my friend Tom and as we say, speak of the devil, he showed up! It was such a coincidence.”
Part 2 Example:
- Task: Describe a time when you met someone unexpectedly.
- Response: “I was having lunch with a colleague and we were discussing an old friend from college. Speak of the devil, she walked into the same restaurant at that very moment.”
Part 3 Example:
- Question: Do you think it’s important to talk about current affairs?
- Response: “Absolutely. However, sometimes discussing controversial topics can bring about unexpected results, much like speaking of the devil.”

Writing Section

Task 1 Example:
- Scenario: Describing a trend in company visits.
- Response: “Interestingly, the number of client visits increased dramatically in Q3. When discussing potential clients, speak of the devil, we saw an influx exactly at that time.”
Task 2 Example:
- Topic: Discussing the impacts of technology on personal interaction.
- Response: “Technology has drastically changed how we interact. While some argue it diminishes face-to-face conversations, speak of the devil situations have shown spontaneous and lively interactions facilitated by technology.”

Combining “Speak of the Devil” with Other Words

Synonyms:
- “Look who’s here!”
- “Talk of the town!”
- Example: “We were just talking about the mayor, and look who’s here!”
Antonyms:
- “Silent as the grave”
- “Not a whisper about”
- Example: “Despite our discussions, he remained silent as the grave.”
Related Words:
- “Coincidence”
- “Unexpected”
- Example: “It was such a coincidence; he walked in as soon as we mentioned his name.”

Related Idioms and Phrases

Devil’s Advocate: One who presents a counterargument.
- Example: “Playing devil’s advocate, I would say the policy has some merits.”
- Link: He’s the Devil’s Advocate
Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place: In a difficult situation with no easy option.
- Example: “She was caught between a rock and a hard place when choosing between her career and family.”
- Link: Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Conclusion

Understanding and using idiomatic expressions like “Speak of the Devil” can greatly enhance your fluency and impress examiners in the IELTS exam. Practice using such expressions in context to master their usage effectively.